What will happen if I’m arrested?

Getting arrested may be one of the most stressful experiences in a person’s life. If you or someone you know has been arrested or you think you are about to be arrested, understanding the process will help lessen the stress and prepare you for the next steps you will need to take. Below is an overview of what will happen if you are arrested.

Most arrests result after a traffic stop, report of a crime, or other situation where the police are immediately informed of a crime or otherwise unexpectedly come into contact with a subject. In those situations, the police will immediately detain you, will search you for weapons or contraband, and will place you in the back of their car for transport.

During this process, they will frequently read you your Miranda warnings and attempt to question you regarding the crime. You should listen to their warnings and not answer any questions until you have an attorney present.

Other arrests occur after a long-term investigation or when an arrest warrant has been issued following a crime. In most of these cases, the police will come to your home early in the morning. This is to both ensure that you will be there and that you are too groggy to put up a fight.

Many times detectives will knock on your door or simply wait for you to come out and then explain that they are arresting you. Kicking down your door as seen on TV is only reserved for violent offenders. As with other arrests, police will search you, read you your rights, and may attempt to question you.

Depending on the local facilities, the police will then take you to the police station or a local jail. There, police will record biographical information, fingerprint you, take pictures of any tattoos, and take your mugshot. The booking process itself is not lengthy, but it may take several hours during busy times.

You will be allowed 2 phone calls. The first call you should make is The Watt Law Firm. Call The Watt Law Firm at (913) 433-3849

After booking, you will be taken somewhere where you will wait to see a judge. Sometimes this means being transported to a courthouse, and sometimes you will see a judge over a video feed from the same place where you were booked. When you go before a judge, a bail amount will almost always be set. Bail is an amount of money that is put up to guarantee your return to court and is granted in all but the most serious of cases. The amount will vary based on the seriousness of the offense, and for minor offenses you may be released without bail.

If you were held on bail, you will remain in custody until your bail is paid. A friend, family member, or attorney can do this for you at the clerk of court or local jail. Always be sure to carefully follow local procedures so that any money paid is properly credited and your release is not delayed. Once bail is paid, jail or court staff will be notified, and you will be released soon after.

You will need to find a criminal defense attorney who brings the necessary skills to defend you. When that time arrives, call the Watt Law Firm at (913) 433-3849.

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If you have recently been arrested and need criminal defense in Kansas City, MO. Call Greg Watt at (913) 433-3849 for help today.